Electrically-operated system for closing water-tight doors, hatches, or the like.



* No. 729,280. PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

w. B. cow ns. ELEGTRIGALLY OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER TIGHT DOORS,

HATCHES, OR THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1. 1901.

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'No. 729,280, Y PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

w. B. GOWLES. ELEOTRIGALLY OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER TIGHT nouns,

10 SHEETSSHEET 2.

HATGHES, OR THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED we. 1. 1901.

e KO} No. 729,280. PATENTEDMAY 26. 1903.

' w. B. 'COWLES.

BLEGTRIGALLY OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER-TIGHT DOORS. HATGHES, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1. 1901. I0 I EL. 10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

7 W. B. OOWLES. ELEOTRIGALLY OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER TIGHT DOORS,

HATOHES, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1901.

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wwnemo v a'nve m/foz No. 729,280. PATENTED MAY'ZG, 1903. W. B. COWLES.

BLEGTRICALLY OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER TIGHT DOORS,

- H'ATGHES, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1. 1901. I0 MODEL 10 SHEETS-$112111 5.

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HATCHES, OR THE LIKE.

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ELEGTRIGALLY OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER TIGHT DOORS,

HATCH-ES, OR THE LIKE APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1' 1901. N0 MODEL. 10 SHEET$SHEET 7.

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No. 729,280. PATENTED MAY 26-, 1903.

W. B. OOWLES.-

' ELEGTRIOALLY OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER TIGHT DOORS,

HATOHES, OR THE LIKE. APPLIOATION 111L111) AUG. 1. 1901.

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HATGHES, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED [66.1. 1901.

. l0 SHEETS-SHBET 9.

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W. B. GOWLES. BLEGTRIGALLY OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER TIGHT DOORS, HATOHES, OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1. 1901.

FIG. ZU- 2 6 T a Q: o R 6 T 8 0 To 2i 'I w I r S2 7 R R 3 mm E; 7, 5 we Quail/051E 1' PATENTED MAY 26, 1903.

(ltfoznmga UNITED STATES V 1 iatented May 26, 1903. PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM BARNUM OO YVL ES, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

ELECTRlCALLY-OPERATED SYSTEM FOR CLOSING WATER-TIGHT DOORS, HATCHES; OR THE LIKE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 729,280, dated May as, 1903'.

Application filed August 1, 1901 To (tZZ whom, it nut/y concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM BARNUM OOWLES, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Electrically-Op erated Systems for Closing Water Tight- Doors, Hatches, or the Like; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andeXact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for operating bulkhead doors, hatches, or the like by means of electricity, for operating the said doors either from a distant point or at the door itself, for operating the doors by hand in case it should become.

necessary or desirable to do so, and for signaling when the door, hatch, or the like is in any predetermined position. My invention also consists in certain details of apparatus and certain combinations and arrangements of parts, as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the same characters throughout the several views. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the electric; circuits by means of which the doors, hatches, or the like are operated. Fig. 2 represents a development of the surface of the controller-cylinder at each door, hatch, or other ob-; ject to be moved and shows the arrangement of the metallic contacts on the'surface of the non-conducting cylinder. Fig. 3is a front elevation of a horizontal sliding bulkheaddoor with the parts for operating the same constructed according to my invention, the door being shown as closed. Fig. 4 represents a section on the broken line 4'4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of a vertical sliding bulkhead-door constructed according to my invention with parts for operating the same, the door being shown as closed. Fig. 6 represents a horizontal section along the broken line 6 6 of Fig. 5 looking down. Fig. 7 represents a vertical section along the line 7 7 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 8 represents a vertical section along the Serial No. 70.551. on" model.)

line 8 8 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 represents a plan showing the gearing connecting the shaft I and the power-gearing. Fig. 9 represents a section through the power-gear for operating the door, the section being along the line 9 9 of Figs. 10 and 11 looking in the direction of the arrows.' Fig. 10 represents a section along the broken line 10 10 of Fig. 9 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 11 represents a section along the line 11 ll of Fig. 9 and 1 11 11 of Fig. 12 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 12 represents an elevation of the limit-switch mechanism with the top of the case removed. Fig. 13 represents a section through the limit-switch mechanism along the lines 13 13 of Figs. 11 and 12 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. let is a front elevation of the double contact-lever, and Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 15 is a front elevation of the single contact-lever, and Fig. 15 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 16 represents a plan View of the sliding cam-sleeve for operating the limitswitch, and Fig. 16 is an end view of the same.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the cam which ongages the sleeve shown in Fig. 16, and Fig. 17 is a perspective view of said cam. Fig. 18 is a front elevation of the emergency-switch, arranged to operate two doors, hatches, or the like. For convenience of description the connection for two doors only are shown; but it will be obvious that the parts may be multiplied indefinitely; Fig. 19 represents a section through the casing for the emergency mechanism along the line 19 19 of Fig. 21 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 20 represents a section through the emergency mechanism along the lines 20 20 of Figs. 18 and 21 looking in thedirection of the arrows, and Fig. 21 represents a sect-ion through the emergency mechanism along the lines 21 21 of Figs. 18 and 20 looking in the direction of the arrows.

It will be more convenient and tend to clearness to describe the details of the apparatus before referring to the conjoint action of all the parts or to the electric circuits shown in the diagram, Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, A represents-the bulkhead; B the sliding door, which travels in a suitable frame A and with suitable tightening devices. (Not shown.) A represents a bracket or bed-plate fast to the bulkhead A, on which the powergear is mounted. B is a cylinder fast to the door which forms a sheath for the screw 0, which screw engages in the nut 13*, fast to the door. The position of the door when closed is indicated by a tappet b, which operates a pushbutton or like device I) and signals when the door is closed. D represents the casing for the power-gear, E represents the casing for the electric motor, and F represents a casing for the limit-switch, all of which are mounted on the bed-plate A The electric conductors are properly insulated and are preferably inclosed in conduits G. These conductors are connected to the electrie motor, the limitswitch, and the controller H and also to the push-button b, as shown in Fig. 3. The objectofinclosingthe various partsisto keep out dust, dirt, and water and protect these parts against injury from the cargo of the vessel or from accidents or from the enemys projectiles. The controller H may be operated from either side of the bulkhead by means of handles 77. (see Fig. 3) or h, (see Fig. 6,) mounted on a shaft h Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8, these figures show a vertically-sliding bulkhead-door in which the arrangement of parts is generally similar to that already described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. In these figures the I additional features shown are the vertical shaft I, which is rotated by means of suitable gearing in the casing I, operated by a crank on either end of the shaft 2', which passes through the bulkhead A. At the upper end of the shaft I is a miter gear-wheel t", which meshes with a similar wheel i ona short horizontal shaft E of the power-gear through the miter gear-wheels i and 6 as shown in Fig. 8. The power-gear may be operated either by hand. through this shaft I or by the electric motor, as will be hereinafter more fully described. Another feature (shown in Figs. 5 to 7) is a tightening device A", having rollers a engaging the wedge 11 (see Fig. 7) at the bottom of the door to tighten the same and also the inclined face 11 near the top of the door, which engages the roller a (see Fig. 7) to tighten the top of the door on its scat. These rollers a are mounted between the beam A and the door, this beam A being secured to the door-frame A. \Vith this door I preferably mount the push-button bor other-signaling device on the beam A and have the tappet I) carried on the arm 17 which moves with the door.

While I have referred in the foregoing description to sliding doors, it will be obvious that the devices hereinafter described may be applied to the reciprocation of hatches, gates, or heavy bodies of any kind that it is desired to move, and it is my purpose to consider such bodies to be moved as the equivalents of the door in the reciprocating mechanism hereinafter described.

Referring now to the power-gear for sliding the door or other object to be moved, as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, the end of the screw C is reduced, as at O and again as O terminating in the screw-threaded portion 0 to which I secure a cap 0 as by means of the screw 0 This cap has prongs c projecting into the annular nut C, which abuts against the sleeve 0 which is keyed, as at 0 onto the reduced portion C of the screw 0. In order to give increased bearing-surface for the thrust of the screw 0, I provide a set-collar C abutting against the shoulders c on the screw 0, which bears against the ring D mounted in a recess in the part D of the easing D. and the ring D may be kept clear of grit by means of the packing D Asimilar ring D is provided to bear against the set-sleeve C when the thrust of the screw 0 is in the opposite direction. This set-sleeve C has arms C perforated to receive the ring K, around which ring are the stout coil springs K These coil-springs abut at one end against the arms C and at the other against the lugs on the worm-ring K, which worm-ring is provided with worm-teeth Ir, engaging in a double worm E on the shaft E which shaft is secured to or integral with the armatureshaft of the electric motor contained in the casing E, and the other end of the shaft E is geared to the shaft I, so that the worm E may be turned either by the electric motor E or by hand through the shafts t and I, as already described. The worm-ring K is slipped over the larger cylindrical surface of the setsleeve 0 and is held against sliding longitudinally on said surface by means of the ring C fast to the sleeve C. A stop 7c is secured to the worm-ring K, which engages one or the other of the stops 0 (see Fig. 11) on the sleeve C The purpose of these various stops is to allow the worm-ring alimit'ed play rela-.

tive to the sleeve C after the door has reached the limit of its travel or after it has encountered asufticient obstruction to stop its further progress. The purpose of the springs K is to relieve the pressure on the wormring when the door stops suddenly, and thus to prevent breakage of the parts. In order to provide for the automatic stopping of the electric motor when the motion of the door is arrested for any cause, I provide the limitswitch and the mechanism for operating the same, which will now be described.

The cam K (see Figs, 9, 17, and 17 is secured, by means of the pin 70 and screws, to the worm-ring K, and the cam-surfaces 70 engage corresponding surfaces 0 of the lug c on the sliding cam-ring 0', (see Figs. 9, 16, and 16%) which is mounted over the smaller cylindrical portion of the sleeve C and over the annular nut C. This sliding sleeve 0 is provided with an annular recess 0 in which engages the shoes m pivoted on the arms m, (see Fig. 11,) carried by the yoke M. This yoke is pivoted at its outer end on the pin m The hearing between the collar G and is secured to or integral with the shaft M, which forms its second pivot. This shaft M carries the short arms M and M and the long arms N and N in the limit-switch casing F, which arms operate the limit-switch, as will be hereinafter described. Thus it will be seen that when the further motion of the door is stopped while the electric motor is still running the sleeve 0 will be stopped; but the worm-ring K will continue to turn through a small angle, and in so doing the cam K will move the cam-ring C longitudinally on the sleeve (1 rocking the shaft M and operating the limit-switch to cut off the electric current.

Theconstruction of the limit-switch and the details of the electric circuits will now be described.

Thelimit-switch consists,primarily,ofeight contacts q to as shown in Fig. 1, and two contact-levers P and P, mounted loosely on a rod 19 The contact-lever P has one arm,- to the end of which is secured and insulated therefrom a U -shaped contactpiece 19 in position to electrically connect the two contacts g and The contact-lever P is provided with two arms adapted to make and break contact alternately, one of said arms having a U-shaped contact-piece p in position to connect the two contacts g and g and the other arm having twosimilar contactpieces 10 and 19 the contactpiece 19 being arranged to connect the contacts g and q and the contact-piece p being arranged to connect the contacts q and The two arms of the leverp' are set at an angle of about one hundred and fifty degrees, so that when the contact-pieces on one arm are in engagement with their respective contacts the contactpieces on the other arm will be disengaged, and these levers P and P may be rocked upon the rod 19 to make and break contact as desired. The levers P and P are provided with lugs P and P respectively, having slots 19 and 19 in which slots engage wrist-pins n,-

which will be hereinafter described. The shaft M from the yoke M extends through the limit-switch in front of the levers P P, as shown in Figs 11 to 13, and has mounted thereon two short arms M and M and two longer arms N and N the short arms being rigidly secured to the shaft and the longer arms mounted loosely thereon. Heads 02 and n are pivoted to the ends of the arms N and N the said heads being provided with wrist-pins n, which extend through the ends of the said arms N and N and into the slots 19 and p of the contact-leversP and P. The heads n and n are provided with rods 11, which extend through openings in similar heads m m pivoted to the ends of the short arms M and M and springs Mare mounted on the rods 77, between the heads 17. and m and between the heads a and m which springs tend to press apart the members of each pair of heads. Stops F are pivoted at pointsfin the limit-switch casing and are provided at each end with stop-screws f and f One of these stops F is provided for each pair of arms N M and N M and the said stops are so placed that the arm N or N will strike one of the stop-screws f, while the arm M or M will strike one of the other stop-screws f Stationary stops F are also provided in the casing to limit the movement of the arms N N in the opposite direction. As shown in Fig. 13, the single contact-lever P is in engagement with the contacts q and g and the double contact-lever P is in engagement with the contacts q to q, the springs 71 tending to keep the levers in these positions. At this time the levers N and N will lightly touch the stop-screwsf, but are held from movement by the levers P and P, which have reached the limit of their movement in one direction. When the shaft M is rocked'in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 13, the arm M will move upward, carrying the head m across the dotted line 2 and finally striking the stop-screwf on the pivoted stop F, causing the said stop to move about its pivotal pointfand start the arm N in the opposite direction. This movement will cause the spring n to exert its pressure in the opposite direction and bring the single contact-lever P out of engagement with the contacts g and g the movement of the said'arm and lever being stopped when the arm N strikes the stationary stop F When the aforesaid movement takes place, the arm M will move in the same direction as the arm M butthis movement will produce no other result than to allow the spring a between the arms N and M to expand a little more. When the shaft M is rocked back again, the movements of the arms and levers will be reversed, so that the lever P will be again thrown into engagement with contacts g and (1 When the shaft M is rocked from the position shown in Fig. 13 in the direction opposite to the arrow, the movements just described with relation to the arms M and N will be performed by the arms M and N but of course in the opposite direction, the double contactlever P being moved to break contact with the contacts q to g and to make contact with the contacts g and g The emergency-switch (shown in Figs. 18 to 21) consists. of a casing R, in which is mounted a shaft R, having a sleeve R of insulating material, upon which is mounted a metal drum R having a series of shortprojections r and two series of longer projections 1" and T The shaft R is mounted at the rear end in a bearing 1' in the back part of the casingR and at the front end in a bearing S (shown in dotted lines) in a shaft S, which is journaled in a packing-box r in the front of the casing. The shaft S is pro vided with a handle S, by which it may be turned. A ratchet-wheel R is secured to the shaft R, and a sleeve S having an arm S is secured upon the shaft S. A pawl S is pivoted on the arm S and is held in engagement with the ratchet-wheel R- by a spring 8 A stud is secured to the sleeve S and is arranged to strike a stop 0* to limit the movement of the shaft S in one direction, and a flange s on the arm S will strike said stop 1' and limit the movement of said shaft S in the other direction. A spring R is connected with the arm S and tends to keep the said arm, sleeve, and shaft S in their normal positions, as shown in Fig. 19, at which time the stud s is resting against the stop r and the pawl S is in engagement with one of the teeth on the ratchet-wheel R Secured to insulating-pieces R are a series of contactpieces 15, i, 15 and t the contact-pieces 15 and if being arranged on one side of the drum R to make contact with the two series of projections 1" and 1", respectively, and the contact-pieces t and i being arranged on the other side of the drum R to make contact with the two series of projections 4" and 1*. When the parts are in their normal position, the contact-pieces t to t are opposite to the spaces between the contact-strips on the drum R as shown in Fig. 19, and no contact is made.

When the emergency'switch is operated the handle S is turned until the flange 3 strikes the stop 0", which movement will turn the drum and cause the longer projections to make contact with their respective contactpoints. As soon as the handle is released the spring R will return the parts to their normal position, the drum R being held from returning by a spring-detent r (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 21,) which engages in a series of holes 7' in the ratchet-Wheel R The next movement of the handle will turn the drum still further and bring one of the short projections of the series r in contact with the contact-piece If, the other contactpieces still remaining in contact with their respective strip. The next turn of the drum would bring the spaces between the projections opposite the contact-pieces, and thus break all the circuits, leaving the parts in position for a repetition of the same movements.

The form of emergency switch just described is adapted for the operation of two doors only. For each additional door placed in the system another series of projections on the drum and another contact-piece would be required. The projections in the series 0" and r which make contact with three of the contact-pieces on the first movement of the handle S, and so close the circuit to the first door, must be long enough to remain against their contact-pieces until one of the shorter projections in each of the series on the drum has been brought against its respective contact-piece, and thus closed the circuit to that particular door, the arrangement being such that the first movement of the drum will close the circuit to the first door, the second movement will close the circuit to the second door, and so on, each movement of the drum starting another door, all the circuits remaining closed until the last doorhas been closed, after which the next movement of the drum will break all the circuits.

V Vdesignate incandescent lamps, one of which is connected with each of the doors and arranged so that the circuit therethrough will be closed when the door is closed, thus lighting the lamp and indicating to the operator at the emergency-station when each door is closed. A glass U, numbered to correspond with the number of the door, is placed in the front of the casing R in front of each of the lamps V V, through which the light may be seen. A push-button T is arranged in the front of the casing R and so connected that when the said push-button is closed if one of the doors should be closed the lamp connected with that particular door will glow, thus indicating if the door is open or closed without turning the emergency-switch.

The arrangements of the circuits are as follows, referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2: Thecontroller-cylinder H is mounted on a shaft 77, and provided with contact-strips Its. A series of contact-fingers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 are arranged to make contact with the several contact-strips 71 the contactfingers 2 and 9 being arranged normally out of contact with their respective strips. A solenoid Y is connected with the contact-finger 9, so that when the solenoid is energized it will bring the said contact-finger up against its respective contact-strip. A contact-point 2 is arranged just back of the contact-point 2, but normallyout of contact therewith, and a solenoid Y is connected with the said contact-point 2 so that when the said solenoid is energized it. will first move the contactpoint 2 against the contact-point 2 and then move both into contact with their respective contact-strips 713. The motor E,which moves the door, is of the compound type, c designating the armature, e the series field-coils, and e the shunt field-coils, which are all connected together through the controller-cylinder H as will be readily understood. The limitswitch is shown in the position it assumes when the door is open, the contacts q and 1 being connected by the piece 19 and the contacts g and g being connected by the piece p and the contacts g to g being open. The contacts q and g are connected together by a wirej and with the main w from the dynamo X byawire m and the contacts g and q are connected together by a wire j and with the other main 00 by a wire The connections from the contact-points of the controller to the limit-switch and thence to the emergency-station are as follows: The points 1 and 2 are connected together by the wire 2 and by a wire 1 with the contact 1 The point 2 is connected by a wire 2 with the contact 1 The point 9 is connected with the point 10 by a wire 9. The point 10 is connected by a wire 10 with the contact q, and the point 11 is connected by a wire 11 IIC with the contact The solenoid Y is connected by the wire 11 with the point 11 and by a wire 11 with the other solenoid Y, the latter being connected by a wire y -with the contact The emergency-station is connected with the limit-switch as follows: The contact-finger t is connected by a Wire 25 with the main w and by a wire 15 with one of the contactpoints in the push-button T. The contactfinger t is connected by a wire i with the wire c, which connects the lights V and V together, and this wire i is also connected with the other contact-point of the push-button T. The light V is connected by a wire 4) on one of the contact-points in the contactbox I) at the door, and the other contactpoint in said box is connected by a wire '0 with the contact g in the limit-switch. The contact-finger t is connected by a wire t with the contact cf in the limit-switch. The light V is connected by a wire 12 with the contacthox of another door, and the contact-fingert is connected by alwire i with the proper contact of the limit-switch of the same door.

The operation of the device is as follows: Fig. 1 shows the parts in their normal position when the door is open. The controllercylinder is then in its middle position, the contact-points 1 to 11 being opposite the line 0 0 on the said cylinder. In this position the circuits are broken at the points 1, 2, 9, 10, and 11, and no current can flow to the motor. Should the emergency-switch be turned to bring the points 25, t and t in contact with projections on the drum R the current would flow from the main :1: through the Wire x contact q, contact-piece 19 contact f, wire if, through the solenoid Y, energizing the latter and causing the point 2 to make contact with the point 2, pushing the latter against the contact-strips h on the controller-cylinder. The current will then pass through the Wire to the solenoid Y, energizing the same and causing the point 9 to make contact with one of the strips k The current will then pass through the wire y, wire 11, wire 25, contact-finger t, drum R contact-finger t wire t*, to return-main so. When the circuit is closed at the points 2 2, and 9, the current will flow from the main w through wire m wirej, wire 2 points 2 and 2, through the strips 72. to and from the motor E to the point 9, through wire 9, wire 10, contact g piece 19', contact g returning to the main 90 through the wire m thus running the motor to close the door. As the door starts downward the first movement of the power-gear will actuate the limit-switch and cause the single contact-lever P to move its contact-piecep into engagement with the contacts g and The conductor V leading from limit-switch to contact-box, is always connected to the main through the wirej, independent of the action of the limit-switch, the limit-switch remaining in this position while the door is closing. When the door is closed, the limit-switch will be actuated by the. power-gear, as hereinbefore described, and will break the circuit at the contacts q to stopping the flow of current to the motor and solenoids. The final movement of the door in closing will push the contactpiece I) on the door into the contact-box I), thus closing the light-circuit and causing the light '0 to glow, indicating to the operator at the emergency-station that the door has closed. 'While the door is closing, should it be necessary to reverse its movement, the controller-cylinder H may be turned ninety degrees, which will bring the parts along the line 0 O and the door will open, the circuits and action of limit-switch being the same as hereinafter described. When the controller-cylinder is returned to its middle position, the downward movement of the door will continue as before. Should it be desired to close the door by the controller H, the parts being in the position shown in Fig. 1, the cylinder H is turned by the han- 9o dle it through an arc of ninety degrees in the direction to bring the parts along the line 0 0 against the contact-points l to 11. This will close the circuits at the points 1, 10, and ll'and allow the current to flow from the main 00, through the wire m contact q, contact-piece 19 contact g wire 1 through the solenoid Y, energizing the latter and causing thepoint2 tomakecontactwithpoint2. The current will then pass through wire y, solenroo oid Y, wire y to point 11, through controllerstrips to point 10, through wire 10, contact g piece 19, and contact g re ning to the main m through wire -x When th ontactpoint 2 makes contact with the point the currentwill flow from the main 0c, throug wire 51?, wire j, points 2 and 2, wire 2', to

point 1, from point 1, through the controllerstrips to and from the motor E to the point 10, through wire 10, contact (1 piece 19, and contact q, returning to the main m through wire :0 thus running the motor to close the door. The first movement of the door will actuate the limit-switch as before, and the current will flow from the main a: over 50 ,3, g 19, 1 to point 1, through the controller projections to and from the motor E to the point 10, through .wire 10', contact g 19, returning to the main 0a through wire 03 thus running the motor to close the door.

The further operation of the device is the same as when the door is closed by the emergency-switch just described, except that the light will not glow unless the push-button T be pressed. The closing of the door causes the limit-switch to change its connections, leaving the contacts q to g open and the contacts (1 and g connected together by the connecting-piece p and the contacts g and g connected by the piece p. The door may now be opened by turning the controllercylinder ninety degrees in the opposite direction from its middle position. This will bring the parts along the line 0 O in line with the points 1 to 11 and close the circuits at the points 1, 10, and 11, allowing the current to flow from the main 00, through the wire m wirej, contact g piece 1), contact (1 wire 1, point 1, from point 1 through the strips on the controller-cylinder to and from the motor, passing through the armature in the reverse direction, then to the point 11, through the wire 11, contact q, piece 19 to contact q, wire j, and wire 00 to the wire 00', thus running the motor to open the door. When the door starts to open, the limit-switch will again be actuated and take the same position it had when the door was closingthat is, with the contacts q and g connected together,the contacts g and g connected together, the contacts g and q open, and the contacts (1 and g connected together. The circuits will be the same as when the door was closing, except that the controller-cylinder being turned in the opposite direction the current through the armature will be reversed. When the door reaches the limit of its open position, the power-gear will actuate the limit-switch, causing it to assume the position shown in Fig. 1. When the controller is brought into the position along the line 0 O, the contact-fingers 3, 4, and Twill touch the insulation h, and every singie line can be tested withoutdisconnecting any wire whatever. The controller-cylinder is returned to its middle positionby asuitable spring. (Not shown.)

In practice it will be more convenient to include the various conductors in a less numb er of pipes; but a pipe for each circuit is shown to avoid obscurity in the drawings.

It will be obvious that various modifications may be made in the herein-described apparatus which could be used without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I-laving thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, a nut carried by said door; a screw held against longitudinal motion and engaging said nut, a cylinder on said door screening said screw, and means independently operated either by electricity or by hand for rotating said screw and thus moving said door, substantially as described.

2. In asystem of the character described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing, and a controller; for starting, stopping and reversing the motor, comprising a rotary drum with contact projections thereon, and electromagnetic circuit-closers coacting with said projections to complete the circuits,substantially as described.

3. In a'system of the character described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing, and a controller for starting, stopping and reversing the motor, comprising a rotary drum with contact projections thereon, electromagnetic circuit-closers coacting with said projections to complete the circuits, and an emergencyswitch operated from a distant point and controlling said circuit-closers, substantially as described.

t. 'In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing,iand a controller for starting, stopping and reversing the motor, comprising a rotary drum with contact projections thereon, electromagnetic circuit-closers coacting with said projections to complete the circuits, an emergency-switch operated from a distant point and controlling said circuit-closers, anda shaft and gearing operated independently by hand for operating said power-gearing when desired, substantially as and for the purposes described.

7 5. In a system of thecharacter described, the combinationwith a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing,::a controller for starting, stopping and reversing the motor, comprising a rotary drum with contact projections thereon, and electromagnetic circuit closers coacting with said projections to complete the circuits, and a limitswitch automatically operated when said door reaches the limit of its travel, substantially as described. In a system of thecha'racter described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing." a controller for starting, stopping and reversing the motor, comprising a rotary drum with contact projections thereon, electromagnetic cirsuit-closers coacting with said projections to complete the circuits, an emergency-switch operated from a distant point and controlling said circuit-closers, and a limit-switch automatically operated when said door reaches the limit of its travel, substantially as described.

r 7. In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing, a controller for starting, stopping and reversing the motor, comprisinga rotary drum with contact projections thereon, electromagnetic circuit-closers coacting with said projections to complete the circuits, an emergency-switch operated from a distant point and controlling said circuit-closers, a limit-switch automatically operated when said door reaches the limit of its travel, and a shaft and Igearing operated independentlyby hand for operating said powergearing when desired, substantially as and for the purposes described.

8. In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing; means at the door for starting and stopping and for ICC reversing said motor, and a mechanical cutout automatically cutting off the current from said motor when the load becomes excessive, substantially as described.

9. In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing, means at the door for starting and stopping and for reversing said motor, means operated from a distant point for closing said door, and a mechanical cut-out automatically cutting oit the current from said motor when the load becomes excessive, substantially as described.

10; In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing,means at the door for starting and stopping and for reversing said motor,independent mechanism operated by hand for operating said powergearing when desired, and a mechanical cutout automatically cutting ed the current from said motor when the load becomes excessive, substantially as described.

11. In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, and power-gearing for operating the same, of an electric motor for operating said power-gearing, means at the door for starting and stopping and for reversing said motor, meails operated from a distant point for closing said door, independent mechanism operated byhand for operating said power-gearing when desired, and a mechanical cut-out automatically cutting off the current from said motor when the load becomes excessive, substantially as described.

12. In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, a not carried by said door, a screw held against longitudinal motion and engaging said nut, a worm-wheel loosely mounted on said screw, spring connection between said worm-wheel and said screw whereby said worm-wheel is allowed a limited play on said screw, an electric motor driving a Worm engaging said worm-Wheel, and mechanism automatically operated by the movement of said worm-wheel on said shaft, whereby the current is cut elf from said motor when the load exceeds a predetermined limit, substantially as described.

13. In a system of the character described, the combination with a door, a not carried by said door, a screw held against longitudinal motion and engaging said nut, a worm-wheel loosely mounted on said screw, spring connection between said worm-wheel and said screw whereby said worm-wheel is allowed a limited play on said screw, an electric motor driving a worm engaging said worm-wheel, a cut-out switch, and mechanism automatically operated by the movement of said worm-wheel on said shaft operating said switch when the load becomes excessive, whereby the current is cut off from said motor when the load exceeds a predetermined limit, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM BARNUM COWLES.

Witnesses:

CHAS. J. METZ, FRED F. WILKISON. 

